BOYD, CHARLES GRAHAM
RIP 03/23/2022
Name: Charles Graham Boyd
Rank/Branch: O3/US Air Force, pilot
Unit: Korat Airbase, Thailand 421st TFS
Date of Birth: 15 April 1938
Home City of Record: Rockwell City IA
Date of Loss: 22 April 1966
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 212500N 1052000E (WJ339662)
Status (in 1973): Released POW
Category:
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: F105
Missions: 105
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 October 1990 from one or more
of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence
with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated
by the P.O.W. NETWORK 2023.
REMARKS: 730212 RELSD BY DRV
SYNOPSIS: The F105 Thunderchief ("Thud") performed yoeman service on many
diversified missions in Southeast Asia. F105s flew more combat missions over
North Vietnam than any other USAF aircraft and consequently suffered the
heaviest losses in action. They dropped bombs by day and occasionally by
night from high or low altitude. Some later versions attacked SAM sites with
their radar tracking air-to-ground missiles. This versatile aircraft was
credited with downing 25 Russian MiGs.
Capt. Charles G. Boyd was a pilot trained on the F105D who was shipped to
Vietnam in November 1965. On his 105th combat mission, he departed Korat
Airbase on April 22, 1966 on a combat mission near Hanoi.
During the mission, while over Vinh Phu Province and about 5 miles northeast
of the city of Phu Tho, Boyd's aircraft was hit by enemy fire and he was
forced to eject. Boyd was captured by the Vietnamese and taken to Hanoi.
For the next seven years, Boyd was a "guest" of the North Vietnamese. Like
other Americans captured during this period, he was frequently held in
isolation and frequently "interrogated" in sessions that were more often
torture.
On February 12, 1973, Boyd was released in Operation Homecoming, which
resulted in the release of 591 Americans from Hanoi. At the time, military
officials were dismayed that "hundreds" of known or suspected POWs were not
released.
Since the war ended, over 10,000 reports relating to Americans missing,
prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia have been received by the U.S.
Government. Many authorities who have examined this largely classified
information are convinced that hundreds of Americans are still held captive
today. These reports are the source of serious distress to many returned
American prisoners. They had a code that no one could honorably return
unless all of the prisoners returned. Not only that code of honor, but the
honor of our country is at stake as long as even one man remains unjustly
held. It's time we brought our men home.
Charles G. Boyd was promoted to the rank of Major during his captivity.
==============
Charles Boyd retired from the United States Air Force as a General. He
resides in Virginia.
===============
McKeon <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D9BSe5nOzlyU>).
Full text of their remarks are available
on the Center's webpage
(Boyd<http://cftni.org/Boyd%20Speech.html>
and McKeon <http://cftni.org/McKeon%20Speech.html>).
03/24/2022
With a sad heart, I must inform you of the passing of a great American Hero, USAF General Chuck Boyd. He passed away last evening around 7:00 PM peacefully. As many know, he was a Viet Nam War Pow, shot down over North Viet Nam while flying his trusty F-105.
He was a fixture around the airport, flying his legendary
T-34 with Air Force livery and Grey Eagle Logo. He owned and
flew several different aircraft here to include an A-36
Bonanza, A Great Lakes, and a Legend Cub that incorporated
the now widely sought out “Boyd Step” to help with entering
and exiting the cockpit.
General Boyd was a true friend to the airport, a mentor to
many, and my friend. He served his country well. Where do we
get such Men?
When I get more information that I will be allowed to pass
along, I will. AS the General was a very private man, I ask
that you respect his families wishes as they are related to
me.
In honor of the General, the flags at the airport terminal
will be flown at half-mast until sunset Sunday.
Dave Airport manger at KHWY |
06/29/2022 CC: from Bob Schumaker....
Chuck Boyd, who passed away a few months back on 22 March, was a man of great passion . . . for the country, his family, the Air Force, motorcycles, and certainly for T-34 airplanes.
Last Saturday (June 25th) there was a celebration
of his life at his "ranch," which is located about fifty miles west of
Washington, DC. It was in a beautiful setting with about 250
guests being present who enjoyed a catered meal in a cavernous tent. The feature event was a fly-by of fifteen T-34
airplanes in tight formation followed by a four-plane missing man
flight. Just as the lead plane peeled off the audience spotted a lone
bald eagle soaring overhead as if observing the show. It was a striking
omen and could not have been better staged by Alfred Hitchcock. A hot mike allowed friends to make comments, and Emily Reynolds told a touching story of how her late Husband Jon admired Chuck and his many accomplishments.
Chuck will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on July 14th and will be eulogized there by General Ron Fogelman and Admiral Mike Mullen.
I too have been asked to give a eulogy and would appreciate any stories or comments about Chuck from our group as I prepare these remarks. ...
Thanks,
Bob Shumaker |
Gen. Charles G. Boyd, USAF (Ret.) Tribute